One Lebanese killed, two wounded in clashes in Beirut

Reuters Staff

2 Min Read

BEIRUT, Aug 24 (Reuters) - At least one person was killed and two others wounded in the Lebanese capital on Tuesday in clashes between supporters of Shi’ite militia group Hezbollah and a Sunni faction, security sources said.

They said the clashes were sparked by a fight between a supporter of Hezbollah and another from the Sunni al-Ahbash faction in the mixed neighbourhood of Burj Abi Haidar in Beirut.

"Then it escalated and guns were used and three people were wounded. One died later in hospital," a security source said.

"When the news came out that the wounded Hezbollah supporter died in hospital, people went to the streets and now there is a lot of tension," the source said.

Other sources confirmed the news, adding the Lebanese army had been deployed in the streets of Burj Abi Haidar.

Witnesses said rocket propelled grenades were fired, but it was not clear which side fired them. (Editing by Jon Hemming)